Scholarships will be handed out by The Fairgrounds

Saturday March 8, 2014 | By:Submitted to The Sun | News

ERIE COUNTY — As part of The Fairgrounds’ stated effort to foster education and success in students in Erie County and beyond, the Erie County Agricultural Society and Hamburg Gaming will award $20,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and college students.

To apply for the Erie County Agricultural Society’s scholarship, a student must be enrolling or enrolled in an accredited college or university. Students must be pursuing a career tied to agriculture and must be able to describe how their field of study will help them in their agricultural endeavors.

The mission statement of the Erie County Agricultural Society reads that “our purpose is to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of New York state.” The society said that scholarship winners must reflect this mission in their academic goals. Students do not have to attend a college in New York, to qualify.

Hamburg Gaming is offering scholarships to students who are pursuing other fields of study. These students must also be enrolling or enrolled in an accredited college or university. Applicants must have participated in the Erie County Fair, for eligibility. Participation can include, but is not limited to, employment, exhibition, volunteering, participation in the marching band or other performances.

Applications are made available to local students through their high schools or colleges. Those wishing to obtain an application may do so online at www.ecfair.org/about-the-fair/scholarships. All 4-H participants may receive an application at the Cornell University Cooperative Extension 4-H Office, located at 21 S. Grove St. in East Aurora.

All scholarship applications must be postmarked by April 11.

For more information, contact Russell Marquart, CFE at the Erie County Fair Office, at 649-3900 ext. 6403.